I'm not quite sure why I didn't finish this one, but I didn't.
1 - Psycho
I took a class in horror writing and learned about a pattern in the horror genre that has kinda blown my mind. Usually, in stories, there are three acts. Horror is generally a little different though, in that it has a major twist about a third of the way through the narrative. The first third creates the world, and then bam, something happens and then things rocket from there. When I think about all of my most beloved horror films, that pattern checks out:
- Midsommar: The visitors witness the cliff ritual.
- Get Out: Chris discovers photos of missing Black men with Rose.
- Ready or Not: Grace realizes they're not playing a silly game.
- Scream: Ghostface calls Sidney, taunts her about her mother, then attacks her, leaving Billy Loomis as a major suspect but with no clear motive.
- The Lost Boys: Vampire reveal.
- Jurassic Park (horror adjacent): Nedry turns the power off, and the dinos are now loose.
The most iconic example of this pattern is Psycho, which did something unique: A third of the way into the film, the main character dies. It also gave us a handsome, likeable new main character, someone the viewer immediately wants to trust because he seems so wholesome and kind.
While aspects of the film are dated, and I've long known the ultimate twist, I enjoyed it. I bet it was so wild going into that movie not knowing who the real villain is.
I definitely understand why it's #5 on Rotten Tomato's list of the 200 best horror films.
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